Marcos says the Philippines will be pulled into any war over Taiwan, despite China’s protest
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday his country would inevitably be drawn “kicking and screaming” into any war over Taiwan due to its proximity to the self-ruled island and the presence of large numbers of Filipino workers there, despite China’s strong protest over such remarks, Associated Press reported.
Marcos also told a news conference that the Philippines’ coast guard, navy and other vessels defending its territorial interests in the South China Sea would never back down and would stand their ground in the contested waters after the Chinese coast guard on Monday staged dangerous blocking maneuvers and used a powerful water cannon to try to drive away Philippine vessels from the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal.
It’s the latest flare-up of long-simmering territorial disputes in the busy waterway, a key global trade route, where overlapping claims between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent years. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claims to parts of the contested waters, according to Associated Press.
Japan's deepening political woes cloud budget, rate hike timing
Japan's deepening political uncertainty risks prolonging policy paralysis that could affect the drafting of next year's budget and the timing of the central bank's next interest rate hike, analysts say, clouding the outlook for the fragile economy, Reuters reported.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is facing increased calls from within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to step down and take responsibility for the party's huge defeat in an upper house election in July and a lower house poll last year.
While Ishiba has denied he has any plans to resign, his fading support has triggered inevitable questions about his political future and analysts say a leadership change would likely have implications for the outlook for fiscal and monetary policy, according to Reuters.
UN report says its female staff in Afghanistan have received death threats
A UN report reveals that dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations have faced explicit death threats since the Taliban took power in 2021. Despite Taliban denials, these threats have forced the UN to implement protective measures, according to Al Jazeera.
Since late 2022, the Taliban has banned women from working in NGOs, including UN agencies, and imposed strict rules limiting women’s freedoms and access to education. Over 1.4m girls remain out of school, risking the future of a generation.
In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two top Taliban leaders for gender-based persecution, charges the Taliban reject.
Jordan to host meeting on supporting Syria’s reconstruction
Jordan will host a meeting on Tuesday with Syrian and US officials to discuss ways to support Syria’s rebuilding, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and US envoy Thomas Barrack are expected to attend, Al Jazeera reported.
This follows recent deals worth $14bn signed by Syria with international partners, including projects for a new airport and subway in Damascus. Syrian officials see these agreements as a key step toward recovery, though the UN estimates reconstruction costs at over $400bn.
Despite ongoing violence and challenges, Syria is actively seeking foreign investment to revive its battered economy and infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera.
